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B-17G 42-31473 of the 301st Bombardment Group, 353rd BS

View attachment 635422
Not 301st but 99BG. The short time used marking of 5BW often creates confusion among historians. In March '44 it was decided to use at the 5 BW the following symbols - Y in a square over the S/N at all groups and numbers 1-4 under the S/N. 1 stand for 2BG, 2 for 97BG, 3 for 99BG and 4 for 301BG. In April '44, when 463BG and 483BG joined the 5BW the new symbols were used for each group separately again.

Btw, this machine (42-31473 "My Baby") crashed not far away from where I live. Brother of the co-pilot (KIA) visited us and the crash site as well some years ago. Other pics of this machine are here, just scroll the page down B-17G, Nová Bošáca, SR | Letecká bitva Karpaty It also had 20 mm cannon in tail.

Here's one more example of this short time lived marking at B-17G "Marishka". 1 stands for 2BG... Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress named Marishka of the 301st Bomb Group 32nd Bomb Squadron | World War Photos
 
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